LAKE FOREST, California (CNN) - The forum itself is very relaxed on the stage - neither Rick Warren nor Barack Obama is wearing a tie. Right off the bat, Obama gives the obvious answer as to who he will get advice from: Michelle.

We also got a quick mention of former Georgia senator Sam Nunn - a dark horse VP candidate.

Obama is trying to the broaden "values" discussion tonight in a way Democrats hope will help sway white evangelical vote. He says that biggest moral failing of country is not heeding the verse in Matthew about helping the "least of us."

Democrats have been beaten about the head on "values" issues; they want to move beyond abortion and gay marriage, arguing that faith is also about feeding the hungry and housing the homeless - two issues Democrats believe favor them from a policy standpoint.

soundoff(4 Responses)

Vig

WE WANT TO SEE MCCAIN'S NAME HEADLINING YOUR STORIES NOT MR. WANNABE – SHOW SOME FAIR PLAY, CNN.

August 16, 2008 08:36 pm at 8:36 pm |

Tina

Change WHO can believe in? Gay people? I think not. I supported Barack Obama until about five minutes ago. No more. A real leader is not afraid to take an unpopular stand, if it's the right thing to do. I guess he thinks there are more Evangelical Christians than gay people. What other issues will he cave on?

August 16, 2008 08:48 pm at 8:48 pm |

Mike in VA

Faith is about using the gifts you have received from God to help those who are less fortunate. Faith is not about taxing other people to give their money to those they feel are more deserving. This is where liberals fail on the values question. Studies show that liberals, in general, do not give as much of their personal wealth to help the less fortunate as do conservatives. Instead, they rely on the government to do it for them. For those who believe so adamantly that "separation of church and state" means keeping questions of morals and values out of the public sphere, its very hypocritical to suggest that letting the government do for you what you should be doing on your own is somehow a spiritual virtue.

August 16, 2008 09:38 pm at 9:38 pm |

Jim

Matthew 25 about helping the "least of these" is not an option. Jesus said do it or go to hell.